What safety measure must employees maintain while operating equipment?

Maintaining three points of contact while operating equipment is an essential safety measure that significantly reduces the risk of falls and enhances stability. This practice involves having two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand in contact with the equipment at all times. It provides a secure means of positioning oneself, thereby ensuring that the operator can maintain balance and support when entering or exiting machinery or while performing tasks at heights.

This technique is particularly important in environments where equipment may have unstable surfaces, or the operator is performing tasks that could create a risk of losing balance. By ensuring three points of contact, operators can effectively manage their weight distribution and grip, which is vital for safe operation.

This safety standard is widely recognized in various industries and is part of the broader principle of fall protection and safe work practices. The options that suggest a lesser number of contact points do not provide the same level of safety and could lead to increased risk during equipment operation.